William Carlson

Practice Areas

William E. Carlson is the president of Shapiro Sher and the chair of the firm's business department. He concentrates in corporate and securities law advising public and privately held clients in mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, joint ventures, technology transfer and licensing, employment and consulting arrangements, and corporate governance issues, as well as general corporate planning. He also serves many companies as their “outside general counsel.”

Mr. Carlson has served as independent counsel to Special Committees, Boards of Directors, and individual directors of publicly-held REITs and other companies regarding corporate governance and transaction issues. In addition, Mr. Carlson also assists biotech companies in their formation, IP planning, licensing, fundraising, clinical trial and CRO contracting and governance.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

Maryland State Bar Association and its Section of Business Law, serving as its chair, 2012-2013, (after having served as its vice chair, 2011-2012, and secretary, 2010-2011)

Chair of Section of Business Law's Committee on Corporation Law, 2015 - Present

Member, Maryland State Bar Association's Board of Governors, 2017 - 2018

Bar Association of Baltimore City

Editorial Board of Medical Innovation & Business (a Lippincott Williams & Wilkins journal), 2009-2010

Spring 2010 Guest Lecturer in "Commercializing Scientific Discoveries" Course at The Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business

Director, Greenspring Fund, Incorporated

Education